Find a church
Sint-Laurentius

Sint-Laurentius

Sint-Laurentiusplein 1
8956 Kemmel (Heuvelland)

Church | | Neogothic | Catholic Church

Parking space Organ

Map

How to get there

Opening hours

01 January - 31 December
Mon -
Tue -
Wed -
Thu -
Fri -
Sat -
Sun -

Closed until the end of 2023 for conversion work.

Religious offices

 


Description

Kemmel is a very old parish close to Kemmelberg (156m) inhabited previously by the Celts. Like the rest of the area it suffered under the Gueux and during the First World War.

The neo-Gothic church of Saint Laurent is in a place named the “Dries” and is surrounded by chestnut trees. It has three naves and an imposing tower reinforced with buttresses. It was built in 1925 after the plans of the architect E Dumont.

Inside there are several treasures: neo-Gothic furnishings, 17th Baroque baptismal fonts in marble and several paintings including “the Martyrdom of Saint Laurent” by Jeremias Mittendorf (17th century) and “the Adoration of the Magi”(17th century) attributed by some to Jacob Jordaens.

KIKIRPA : Photo-library online

Photos

Remarkable elements

Side altar of the Holy Mary

This altar dating from before 1914 has a wood sculpted altar piece, showing, left, the Annunciation by the angel Gabriel, right, the coronation of Mary by the Holy Trinity. In the centre is the polychromed wooden statue of the Holy Mary with sceptre and Child holding the orb. The tabernacle shows a pelican feeding its young.

Adoration of the magi

This 17th century painting, in beautiful colours and fine composition, is by or is from the school of Jacob Jordaens. It was bought for 140 florins from Aegidius de Navigheer, canon at the cathedral of St Martin in Ypres.

Font

This 17th century font is cut from black Belgian marble, probably from the Dinant area. It has a finely sculpted basin. The copper lid carries a globe with snake and cross, symbols of the faith that transcends the evil in the world.

Side altar of Saint Laurentius

Dating from before 1914, the altar shows, left, the charitable acts of St. Laurentius. The right shows him being grilled alive. In the middle stands a polychrome statue of the saint. On the tabernacle door is a chalice with wafer. The altar piece is also wood-carved.

Pulpit

The wood carvings on this pulpit depict 5 scenes. From left to right: Moses with the stone tablets, Christ teaching, the Ascension of Christ, the descent of the Holy Spirit, de healing of the lame near the temple by Peter and Paul. This pulpit was a gift in 1901 by Mrs. Amelie Vermeersch.

Obiits

The board shows dates of death, coat of arms and motto of the deceased lords of the castle. The obiit with date 1855 refers to Ernest Clement de Gheus. The other ones refer to the late members of the Bruneel de la Warande and the Geelhand de Merxem families. The obiit of mayor Jacques Bruneel de la Warande also mentions his date of birth.
How to get there

Nearby

Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Bezoeking

Onze-Lieve-Vrouw Bezoeking

8954 De Klijte (Heuvelland)
3km
08.30 - 16.30 Open

Sint-Jan de Doper

Sint-Jan de Doper

8951 Dranouter (Heuvelland)
4km
09.00 - 18.00 Open

Sint-Pieter

Sint-Pieter

8958 Loker (Heuvelland)
4km
09.30 - 16.30 Open

Sint-Medardus

Sint-Medardus

8953 Wijtschate (Heuvelland)
4km
09.00 - 18.00 Open

Sint-Jan de Doper

Sint-Jan de Doper

8900 Dikkebus (Ieper)
4km
Closed

Donate
Choose the entity you want to support

Newsletter
Choose the region you are interested in